MSc Global Environment and Sustainability

You can study the MSc Global Environment and Sustainability from anywhere in the world, at a pace that suits you. Our flexible approach to studying allows you to fit your studies around your commitments.  

The flexible approach to learning allows students to complete the MSc Global Environment and Sustainability in a minimum of two years (subject to module availability) to a maximum of five years. You can study at your own pace within limits, adjusting the intensity of learning to suit your needs. Modules are offered over a 20-week session each academic year.

When you register with us, you will gain access to all resources and study materials via your Student Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), that will equip you to complete each module successfully. You will gain access to a range of multimedia content, activities, and exercises, as well as the opportunity to engage with your module leader and fellow students.   

Online Library   

 As a student at the University of London, you will have access to a range of resources, databases, and journals via the Online Library. You will be able to contact a team of professional and qualified librarians for any help you require. 

Senate House Library 

If you’re based in the United Kingdom, or are visiting London, make sure to visit Senate House Library. Students studying with the University of London can join the library free of charge. Membership includes a 10-book borrowing allowance, access to all reading rooms and study areas, and on-site access to Senate House Library digital resources. 

Online academic support

All students receive online module leader support while studying this degree. Module leaders introduce the modules, respond to queries, monitor discussions and provide guidance on assessments.

Assessment

The following modules are assessed by two assessments: one online multiple choice question test (25 per cent) and an end of term coursework assessment (75 per cent):

• Climate Change and Environmental Hazards

The following modules are assessed by an end of term coursework assessment (100 per cent):

• Biodiversity, Biosecurity and Conservation
• Global Food Systems and Health
• Waste and Pollution
• Water and Energy Resources

The Project module is assessed by one independent research project (100 per cent). All coursework and project items are submitted through the VLE

Academic direction for the degree is from Birkbeck, University of London, which was founded in 1823 and joined the University of London in 1920.

Over 90 per cent of Birkbeck academics are research-active across of range of disciplines and regularly contribute to public debate and publish in leading academic journals. Academics from Birkbeck’s Geography Department actively participate in research and regularly contribute to public debate and publish in leading academic journals.

Programme Director

Dr Izabela Delabre undertakes research examining the intersection of forest and biodiversity loss, sustainable agriculture and supply chains, with a focus on global-local governance interactions. Other areas of expertise cover the politics of sustainability transformations and the use of technologies and data in environmental management.

Izabela has an MSc in Environmental Management and BSc in Environmental Sciences and a PhD in Human Geography. She has also worked in sustainable business consultancy. She has published articles in a number of academic journals, including Science Advances, Global Sustainability, Sustainability Science, Environment and Planning E: Nature and Space and Society & Natural Resources.

What qualifications do you need?

Entry route 1 – Direct Entry

• Applicants will need a bachelor’s degree which is considered at least comparable to a UK second-class honours degree or a postgraduate qualification from an institution acceptable to the University.
• Directly related professional work experience and/or directly related professional qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Entry route 2 – Performance based admissions route

• If applicants do not meet the requirements for Direct Entry, they can apply for the MSc via the Performance Based Admissions (PBA) route.
• To qualify for entrance via the PBA route, applicants will need a bachelor’s degree or Aegrotat (certificate) from an institution acceptable to the University.
• Students on the PBA route may transfer to the MSc on successful completion of one module (30 credits).

Full details of all entry routes are in the Programme Regulations.

If you do not meet the standard requirements, we will consider each application on its own merits. Our Admissions Panel will consider whether any alternative qualifications or work experience you have are suitable for entry to the degree.

Entrance requirements for stand-alone individual modules

• To qualify to register for a stand-alone individual module, applicants will need a bachelor’s degree or Aegrotat (certificate) from an institution acceptable to the University.

English language requirements

You need a high standard of English to study this degree. You will meet our language requirements if you have achieved one of the following within the past three years:

• IELTS: at least 6.5 overall with 6.0 in the written test
• Pearson Test (Academic): at least 59 overall, with 59+ in reading and writing and 54+ in speaking and listening.
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English.
• Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (grade C or above).
• TOEFL iBT: at least 92 overall, with 22+ in reading and writing and 20+ in speaking and listening.
• Duolingo: must achieve an overall score of at least 120.
• If you do not meet the English language proficiency requirements but believe that you can demonstrate the requisite proficiency, the University may, at its discretion, consider your application.

Computer requirements

We set minimum basic computer requirements because your study resources are accessed via the Student Portal and it is vital that you can access this regularly.

More about computer requirements

If you have studied material as part of a previous qualification that is comparable in content, level and standard to our Global Environment and Sustainability modules, you may be exempted from the equivalent course of our degree. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Exemption. You will not need to study or be assessed in the module(s) to complete your award. 

You may be awarded RPL up to 60 UK credits for the MSc and Postgraduate Diploma. 

You may not apply for RPL for the Final Project or for the Postgraduate Certificate programme. 

To be considered for RPL you should make a formal request within your application when applying for the programme. Or, you can submit an online enquiry, if you have already applied.  

You will need to have met the entrance requirements for the programme to be considered for RPL.  

You must have completed the qualification/ examination(s), on which the application for RPL is based on, within the five years preceding the application. 

We will not recognise or accredit prior learning for a module later than 14 days after the module start date. You will be deemed to have started a module once you have been given access to the learning materials on the VLE. 

Discretionary RPL 

Your qualifications will need to be assessed by specialist academics on a case by case basis, before we can approve RPL. This is known as discretionary RPL. A formal application is required and an RPL application fee is payable. The RPL application fee is non-refundable, even if your prior learning is not recognised.  

Your qualification must be at the appropriate level (usually equivalent to a UK Level 7/ postgraduate degree qualification or above) to be considered.  

For your discretionary RPL request to be processed, you will need to provide: a completed RPL request form, the supporting documentary evidence (normally a scanned copy of an official transcript and syllabus of your previous studies) and the discretionary RPL fee. 

You should apply as soon as possible so that we can process your request. You will need to allow time for academics to consider your documentation, so you can register by the registration deadline. 

All discretionary RPL requests must be submitted by the dates specified for the April or October session, in the year that you apply. We must receive all required supporting evidence by the deadline stated. 

If you submit your discretionary RPL application but are too late to be considered for RPL in the current session, we will still process your application to study the programme. If you receive an offer, you can still register. If you wish to be considered for RPL in a subsequent session, then you shouldn’t register on the modules you want to apply for RPL.  

RPL and Performance based admission  

If you apply or register via the Performance Based Admissions (PBA) route, you may apply for RPL. Any approved RPL will be formally applied to your record once you have been successfully admitted onto the full MSc programme.  

To enter the MSc via the PBA route, you must pass any one module from the MSc programme structure, excluding the Project module. We cannot approve RPL for any module you register on as part of the PBA route. 

You may not register for a module which we have provisionally awarded as RPL unless you withdraw your request for RPL.  

If you do not successfully meet the requirements to progress onto the full MSc programme, any application fees paid for discretionary RPL are non-refundable.  

How to request RPL: 

Additional information about the process of applying for RPL. 

Further information regarding RPL is covered in the Recognition of Prior Learning section of the appropriate Programme Regulations and Section 3 of the General Regulations. 

The fees below relate to new students registering for the 2024-2025 session. On average, fees are subject to a five per cent year-on-year increase. 

Students who registered earlier can view their fees on the Course Fees page. 

The fees depend on whether you live in a developing (Band A) or developed (Band B) nation. See the list of Band A and B countries [PDF].

Disclaimer: Currency conversion tool.

More about programme fees.

*The full MSc degree fee is payable when you first register on the degree and includes access to study materials and your first entry into the assessments. It does not include resit fees, the module fee when repeating a module, applications for Recognition of Prior Learning and fees payable to a University of London Recognised Teaching Centres, if applicable. By paying in full at the beginning of your degree, you avoid any annual fee increases to module fees. With pay per module, you pay for each module as you register for it.

**The indicative totals given represent the amount you would expect to pay if you commence study in October 2024 and then complete the MSc degree in the minimum period of time (as per when modules become available), without resits, and paying per module with a year-on-year increase of 5 per cent. These totals do not reflect the cost of any additional tuition support you may choose to take, resit fees or the fee when repeating a module, or applications for Recognition of Prior Learning.

Sales Tax

Please note: student fees shown on our website are net of any local VAT, Goods and Services Tax (GST) or any other sales tax payable by the student in their country of residence. Where the University is required to add VAT, GST or any other sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the fees shown during the payment process. For students resident in the UK, our fees are exempt from VAT.

Further information on Sales Tax.

Your payment provider may apply additional transaction fees (if in doubt, please check with them before making a payment).

Some fees are non-refundable. Please see the refund and compensation policy for further details.

Without the cost of moving to London, studying for your University of London degree anywhere in the world represents excellent value for money. However, there are additional sources of support depending on where you live and how you choose to study.

More on funding your study.

You can pay your fees in a number of ways, including an online payment facility via the Student Portal and Western Union Quick Pay.

More on how to pay your fees

The degree provides career development opportunities for a wide range of individuals, including those with practical experience in environmental management and sustainability who are seeking to further develop their theoretical understandings in these topics, as well as those with a more limited knowledge of the subject who wish to develop their understanding and pursue a career in environmental sustainability.

Possible professions include sustainability manager, nature conservation officer, climate policy specialist, or environmental consultant. This degree can also be useful in waste, energy and/or water management and planning roles.

In some countries, qualifications earned by distance and flexible learning may not be recognised by certain authorities or regulators for the purposes of public sector employment or further study. We advise you to explore the local recognition status before you register.

You’ll have access to a wide range of careers and employability support through the University of London Careers Service, including live webinars and online drop-in sessions.

More on the University of London Careers Service